Storage Foundation for Windows (SFW) provides the capability to create a point-in-time image of all the volumes associated with an Enterprise Vault component. This image, called a snapshot set, is a complete copy of the Enterprise Vault component at the specific point in time the snapshots are taken.

SFW uses Veritas FlashSnap™ technology along with the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) framework to quiesce the component and ensure a persistent snapshot of the production data.

Quick recovery is the term for creating and maintaining the SFW snapshot sets that are stored on the host where the snapshot was taken. They are used to quickly recover databases in the event of corruption or an accidental /malicious update. The quick recovery solution provides fast recovery from logical errors and eliminates the time-consuming process of restoring data from tape. Databases can be recovered to the point in time when the snapshot was taken.

You can create multiple snapshot sets for each Enterprise Vault component and set up schedules for creating and refreshing the snapshot sets. The snapshot sets can be maintained on-host as a Quick Recovery solution.

SFW snapshots use a split-mirror snapshot method. The snapshot is a separate persistent volume that contains an exact duplicate of all the data on the original volume at the time the snapshot is taken. This type of persistent physical snapshot is also known as a Clone (HP) or a BCV (EMC).

Because a snapshot set contains a split-mirror snapshot copy of each of the volumes in the component, the snapshot set requires the same amount of space as the original volumes.

Veritas FlashSnap technology is also integrated into the Net Backup 6.0 Advanced Client Option and Backup Exec™ 10d Advanced Disk-based Backup Option. These products are the preferred solution for on and off host snapshot-assisted backup.